Portus Edit What would you like to edit? SynopsisBackgroundAlternative TitlesPictureChapters/VolumesPublishing DatesRelationsTypeExternal Links   3d173p

Portus is essentially one of those "cursed video game" creepypastas but in a manga format. At least, it starts like that. But explaining the story would be no good. Suffice to say it was quite enjoyable, with good pacing, and better than what I initially expected.
Art-wise, the scenarios are detailed and eerie, with a cinematic quality to them. The... let's call them ghost photography parts of the illustrations... are disturbing but in a nostalgic way for horror enthusiasts. They're the kinda found footage editions you see online for S objects but because this is all in an almost realistic manga style, they sell the idea ... that "this is not supposed to be there" so much better. Character's disturbed expressions also hit very well.
It's one of those books you forget why you got it and then one day devour in less than an hour.

Portus was given to me by a friend who bought it on a whim because the front looked like something I'd enjoy. Upon unwrapping it and reading it I found out that judging a book by it's cover is a bad bad thing.

While the art was interesting and the story was fairly complex, it just did not hook me into it. I ended up abandoning it several times and picking it back up after forgetting why I stopped reading it.

The ending was somewhat expected on my part, while I wont give away any spoilers. Let's just say about mid way into the story you could ... guess the ending.

Though one thing I did not like about the art was that often times it felt overly detailed and too busy to focus on. I'd say if you want to read it for the story I'd borrow it rather than purchasing it.

I have a very boring experience from reading Portus.

As mentioned in another review, the story seems overly complex because the author mixed too many themes and plots together. I think the narrative appears elaborated but it's actually a very simplistic story. In other words : it's artificially complex. Some events are completely forced to try to shock the reader but oh dear it's not shocking at all, when it happens you just wonder why suddenly the characters act like that.

Drawings are bad. Very bad. If you have a few notions of drawing, or at least used to look at good art, you'll see ... that anatomy is never accurate. perspective is lacking. Even the shots that are supposed to be scary, you laugh at it (in a bad way). Typical example, the author tried to draw "realistic" close ups of the faces when characters are supposed to be scared, or horrified by something... But it's a total fail and they just look like Memes trolls' faces...

Speaking of the characters, most of 'em aren't introduced properly. They're all very flat and artificial. I haven't got any empathy for any of them.

So Overall, and about the enjoyment, well, this is all going very low. I think, if you never heard of "The ring" and that is your first horror story ever, it might be a decent (like 5/10) manga to start with. But otherwise, really, I don't recommend it, it's pathetic. If you're a horror fan, you'll be disappointed.